Trials and tribulations for Tyson

IN what may be his last chance to land an A-League contract for next season, former Sunshine Coast Fire goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson has scored a trial with new club the Western Sydney Wanderers.

The Coast-based custodian, who has been unemployed since the removal of Gold Coast United's licence last season, is in the second week of a trial with the expansion club.

He reportedly returned to Queensland on the weekend, but was asked by the Wanderers to come back.

Tyson's hopes of immediately returning to the A-League nosedived last month when Sydney FC opted not to sign him after a trial.

At the time, he told the Daily he was still hopeful of landing a gig in Australia's premier competition, but admitted the odds of that happening were getting slimmer.

The former Australian under-23 and under-20 representative was Gold Coast United's starting keeper when then-owner Clive Palmer's fractious relationship with Football Federation Australia led to the club's sensational demise.

John Gorza, who was appointed United's goalkeeping coach when the FFA took over the running of the club late in the season, said Western Sydney was impressed with Tyson.

The Sunshine Coast-based national goalkeeping coach has been involved in Tyson's development since his junior days and is unsurprised by the Wanderers' return invitation to the 22-year-old so they can take a second look.

Gorza said the club was "seriously" assessing Tyson and if signed, he would seriously challenge for the No.1 keeper spot.

"He's clearly proven he's up to that standard … I think within a week or so they'll make a decision," the respected coach said, adding he believed the club had organised a trial game.

"I think he's highly regarded by the coaching staff there."

Gorza said Tyson's youth was a major selling point.

He also showed leadership qualities and mental toughness during the upheaval at United.

"With all those external influences, it shows how mentally tough and mature he's become as a player," Gorza said.

In the near future, four Sunshine Coast products could be playing in the A-League. Tyson's teammates at United, Mitch Cooper and Zach Anderson, have signed with Newcastle and Central Coast respectively, and Fire captain Tyson Holmes is trialling with Perth Glory.